The wife and I are considering trading my old Tundra in on a Suburban. My Tundra is 4 wheel drive. Do yall think 4 wheel is absolutely necessary to have. I like my 4x4 cause you never know the ramp conditions for sure on a new lake etc. Maybe it's just a comfort thing knowing it's available. Yalls thoughts? Thank you!

Always - never leave home without it.

Ive never owned a 4x4 and have never once needed it and have been on some rough ramps.

I don't think it is a must at all. I have a 4x4 but I don't think I have ever used it a single time at a boat ramp. The only time I even came close was the big hill at squaw, and that was only because some idiot decided to stop right in the middle of the hill. I typically keep pretty good tires on my rig so maybe that plays into it. I will say I'm not a big fan of using my wife's suburban to take my boat to the lake. This is especially true in the winter. When you are by yourself and use a ramp that is really flat, you will have to get into the water to get in or out of the boat. With a truck you can just hop in the back and walk down the tongue of the trailer. Not really an option on a suburban, at least not ours. If you don't fish by yourself that would obviously not be an issue. Our suburban pulls my 21ft skeeter very well. So that will not be an issue

Some places it’s necessary and some it’s not, as long as I’m able to afford one, I’ll keep buying them.

Have you ever had to use your 4X4 with your current boat and ramps that you use regularly? I think this would answer your own question.

If you hunt at all yes. For boat ramps no.

I use a 2 wheel drive Suburban and never have any problems. I have a 20 ft Phoenix now and always had 20 ft Rangers before.

I would never own a tow vehicle without it, BUT, I don't think it's a necessity to launch a boat in the vast majority of circumstances. I have used 4x4 to launch a boat a time or two, but, just as a precaution and it was probably not necessary.

Now, hauling heavy tractors/mowers, heavy loads, around it's simply a must, especially if you hunt/fish off road....and I do. So that's a consideration for some.

Just try to pull your boat out of the water at Cassell Boykin ramp with out it on a busy day and you will learn quickly that you need it.

I have a few times and never had a problem

Me too. No problem at Diablo ramp at amistad either. Unless you launch off the bank it shouldn’t be a problem.

There have been 2 times I would have been stuck without it. Both times had nothing to do with the ramp but had to do with the fact the parking lot was full and I had to park in the grass. I didnt sink in the mud or anthing like that. The culprit was lush green wet grass on an incline. It can be a challenge even for 4x4.

Unless I am on a strict budget that did not allow for cost of 4X4, I will always have a 4X4. It's much better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Exactly. A lot of people HOPE they never need it... I never consider NOT having it!